North Mason Levy 2026: Property Tax Impact Explained

For Mason County Property Owners: The North Mason School District replacement levy on the April 28, 2026 ballot passed. The approved measure collects an estimated $1.01 per $1,000 of assessed property value — $18.9 million over 2027–2030 across the district. This is a replacement levy, not a new tax, and the rate is lower than the $1.28 ask voters rejected twice in 2025.

Last refreshed: October 24, 2026 (Pacific).

October 2026 update: The April 28, 2026 levy passed — about 53.5% yes (2,130 to 1,851), certified May 8, 2026 — at a reduced $1.01 per $1,000 rate ($18.9 million over 2027–2030). The $1.28 / $5,577,446-per-year figures in this page’s original version were the failed 2025 proposals, not the April 2026 measure; the numbers below are corrected.

The North Mason Levy and Your Property Tax: What the April 28 Vote Means

For Mason County property owners, the April 28 special election brought a concrete question: what does the North Mason School District replacement levy mean for your tax bill, and what had already changed in the district since the levy funding lapsed after the February 2025 failure? Voters answered it by approving the measure.

The Numbers: What You Would Pay

The approved replacement levy authorizes $18.9 million over 2027–2030 ($4.5 million in 2027, rising to $4.95 million in 2030), collected from property owners within the district. The estimated collection rate is $1.01 per $1,000 of assessed property value — reduced from the $1.28 rate (about $5,577,446 per year) on the two proposals voters rejected in 2025.

Estimated annual cost at common Mason County assessed values:

• $200,000: approximately $202/year ($17/month)
• $300,000: approximately $303/year ($25/month)
• $400,000: approximately $404/year ($34/month)
• $500,000: approximately $505/year ($42/month)

This is a replacement levy — it renews an expiring measure, not a new tax layer. Property owners who were paying under the previous levy see the levy continue, at the reduced rate voters approved in April 2026.

School Quality and Property Values

After the February 2025 levy failure and the resulting $4.5 million in cuts, the North Mason School District reduced athletics, arts, music, counseling, and after-school programs. A third consecutive failure in April 2026 would have forced further reductions — the April approval avoided that outcome, and levy funding returns for the 2027–2030 collection years.

School district quality is consistently among the top factors prospective homebuyers evaluate when assessing a community. The relationship between school funding and residential property values is well-documented in Washington state real estate markets.

This Is the Third Attempt

The levy failed in February 2025 and November 2025. April 28, 2026 was the third vote on this replacement measure — the district cut a further $1.3 million, eliminated two administrative positions, and reduced the ask before returning to voters. The district operated under reduced funding after the failures, absorbing cuts to programs that levy revenue previously supported; the April 2026 approval restored the funding stream for 2027–2030.

How the Vote Turned Out

Ballots were mailed April 7, 2026, and had to be dropped at an official Mason County drop box (locations at masoncountywa.gov) or postmarked by April 28. Voters approved the levy with about 53.5% voting yes (2,130 to 1,851), and the Mason County Canvassing Board certified the results on May 8, 2026. Certified results are posted at masoncountywa.gov; you can confirm your ballot was counted at VoteWA.gov.

For the full voter guide, see North Mason School District Levy on April 28 Ballot. For Mason County economic news, see Olympic Mountain Ice Cream Expands to Port of Shelton.

Related: North Mason School District Levy: April 28 Ballot Guide

Frequently Asked Questions: North Mason Levy and Property Taxes

What is the North Mason School District levy rate in 2026?

The approved rate is an estimated $1.01 per $1,000 of assessed property value, collecting $18.9 million over 2027–2030 from properties within the district boundaries. (The two failed 2025 proposals had asked $1.28 — about $5,577,446 per year.)

Is this a new tax or a replacement?

This is a replacement levy — it renews an expiring measure rather than creating a new obligation. Property owners within the North Mason School District were already paying under the previous levy at a comparable rate.

Does the levy apply if my property is in Kitsap County but within the school district?

Yes. The North Mason School District covers portions of both Mason County and Kitsap County. Property owners within the district boundaries in either county are subject to the approved levy.

What did the April 28, 2026 levy vote decide?

Voters approved the reduced replacement levy on April 28, 2026, so the additional cuts beyond the $4.5 million already absorbed after February 2025 — which would have affected athletics, arts, counseling, security staffing, and after-school programming — were avoided, and levy funding returns for 2027–2030.

Where can I find Mason County drop box locations?

Official drop box locations are listed at masoncountywa.gov. Boxes were open 24/7 through Election Day, April 28, 2026; ballots could also be mailed postmarked by April 28 or cast in person at the Mason County Auditor’s office on Election Day.